2026-2027 SY - Counselor/Student Success Advisor

Work Location: Indian Hills Elementary
Work Hours: 7.5 hours per day
Contract Length: 194 days

Fully Licensed Counselor pay range: $84,818.00 minimum to $84,868 maximum
Student Success Advisor pay range: $72,701.00 minimum to $72,750.00 maximum

About the Role

The Counselor will develop and implement a school guidance program focused on the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and vocational growth of each student. The counselor will be responsible for the Competencies for New Mexico School Counselors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive school-level guidance program based on the American School Counseling Association National Standards.
• Coordinate activities in the guidance and counseling program.
• Provide information and facilitate guidance activities for students, staff, and parents.
• Serve as a consultant to the school and community.
• Provide individual and group counseling.
• Uphold the standards of the counseling profession.
• Determine guidance priorities based on local assessed needs.
• Formulate measurable objectives from identified needs and priorities.
• Coordinate a continuing evaluation of the program.
• Coordinate with the appropriate administration for achievement.
• Work with other staff members to encourage the inclusion of a student-oriented philosophy in all school activities.
• Help to integrate the guidance and counseling program within the total school program.
• Communicate with parents and community about services available within the guidance and counseling program.
• Establish and maintain contact with school and community resources.
• Assist others in their understanding of personal and social development.
• Serve as a resource to facilitate groups and presentations on pertinent issues.
• Provide prevention strategies that address current issues such as chemical dependency, teenage pregnancy, suicide, dropping out, and various forms of abuse.
• Conduct activities on education and career themes.
• Conduct orientation/training programs for students, parents, and staff.
• Interpret test results to students, parents, and staff.
• Provide mediation for changes in behavior and conflict resolution.
• Support the staff with assistance in developing positive rapport with students to maximize learning potential.
• Assist teachers in identifying students who would benefit from counseling and provide feedback on referred students as appropriate.
• Provide information to parents and students to aid in their understanding of educational goals.
• Provide resource materials and expertise dealing with issues affecting students, staff, and family.
• Provide crisis intervention.
• Use appropriate interventions in situations detrimental to the physical, mental, educational, and emotional well-being of the individual.
• Provide support to individuals by addressing topics such as interpersonal relations, communication, decision-making, problem-solving skills, academic programs, and career and life planning.
• Make referrals to school and community resources when necessary.
• Meet the state competency standards and the requirements for preparation.
• Participate in the development of policies concerning guidance and counseling.
• Stay informed about developments and innovations within the profession at the local, state, and national levels.
• Follow the legal and ethical standards of the counseling profession.
• Responsible for supervising extracurricular activities as designated by the principal.
• Participate in all school meetings as determined by the principal.
• Manage and facilitate the SAT process.
• Support district initiatives.
• Accept other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the principal.

Qualifications

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Experience: Two years of responsible counseling experience; one year of career counseling is desirable.
• Education: Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in an accredited program in school counseling, guidance & counseling, psychology, sociology, or a related field. Student Success Advisor pathway available with a Bachelor's degree.

Candidates must meet the criteria for one of the licensure pathways outlined below for a School Counselor:

• PATHWAY 1
  • Bachelor's and Master's degree (earned from a regionally accredited college/university).
  • Minimum of 36-42 semester hours in a School Counselor program including a practicum in a school setting.
  • Passage of the New Mexico Teacher Assessment (NMTA) Content Knowledge Assessment (CKA) in School Counseling.
• PATHWAY 2
  • Possess an LPC or LPCC license issued by the NM Counseling & Therapy Practice Board.
  • 6 semester hours of graduate credit in school counseling.
  • Passage of the New Mexico Teacher Assessment (NMTA) Content Knowledge Assessment (CKA) in School Counseling.
• PATHWAY 3
  • Possess a certificate issued by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
  • Passage of the New Mexico Teacher Assessment (NMTA) Content Knowledge Assessment (CKA) in School Counseling.

NMPED does not reciprocate out-of-state school counseling licenses. You must be able to meet one of the above-referenced pathways to obtain a school counseling license.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform the job and access the environment for which you are hired.
• The following may be required: sitting, standing, lifting, moving about the room or school, carrying (up to 50 pounds), reaching, squatting, kneeling, prolonged typing, physical ability to type on a keyboard terminal, and moving light furniture.

Equipment/Technology Handled

Must know how to properly operate or be willing to learn to operate all multimedia equipment including current technology.

Work Environment

• On-site attendance is mandatory for this position.
• Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality.
• Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required.
• Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision.
• After-hours work may be required.

Benefits

All GMCS schools are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).